U.S. ARMY DELEGATION VISITS CRO. DEFENCE MINISTRY

ZAGREB, July 17 (Hina) - A working group of senior United States army officers assessing Croatia's defence skills and the compatibility of its armed forces with NATO standards on Monday began its three-day stay in Croatia by visiting the Defence Ministry. The working group was received by Deputy Defence Minister Zlatko Gareljic and Deputy Army Chief-Of-Staff General Damir Krsticevic. The 20 U.S. officers, headed by brigadier Alen Stolberg, will visit several barracks and units of all three services of the Croatian army, giving an expert evaluation of the measure in which they meet NATO standards and what in their work and organisation ought to be changed. Deputy Defence Minister Gareljic acquainted the guests with the democratic changes Croatia had effected this year and its clear ambition to integrate with international military and political alliances. Gareljic briefed them on draft amendments to the constitution which should define relations and jurisdiction in the civil and democratic control of the armed forces, and on plans on reducing and modernising the army. General Krsticevic said the visit was very important for Croatia's army because its results would be used to draft an action plan for Croatia's full membership in NATO. Speaking on behalf of the U.S. delegation, brigadier Stolberg said they were coming as friends, intending to participate in preparing the Croatian army to become compatible with western military systems. This visit is the beginning of a three-month cooperation, he said. The Defence Ministry pointed out this was the first time a working group of this kind was visiting a country which only recently joined NATO's Partnership for Peace programme. (hina) ha